Maryville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – Maryville police are warning residents about a rise in phone scams involving criminals posing as law enforcement officers.
Chief Tony Crisp says at least four incidents have been reported in the past month, including multiple cases in a single day. In these scams, callers claim victims have missed a court date or face arrest and demand immediate payment through Bitcoin, QR codes, or prepaid cash cards.
Police say scammers use advanced technology to “ghost” phone numbers, making it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate local law enforcement agency.
In one recent case, a victim lost money after sending payment. Another person avoided the scam by calling police directly to verify the claim.
Crisp emphasized that law enforcement agencies will never request payment over the phone or threaten arrest in that manner. He advised anyone receiving such a call to hang up immediately and contact the agency using an official phone number.
Authorities say once money is sent, it is often quickly transferred to accounts outside the United States, making it extremely difficult to recover. Losses in these scams have ranged from thousands to as much as $80,000.
Police say people of all ages are being targeted and encourage the public to remain cautious. Scam calls can be reported to the Maryville Police Department or the Federal Trade Commission.
